You reported in the June 6 issue of The Daily Tar Heel that the UNC swim test may be abolished as a requirement for graduation.
I'm quite surprised.
If Tom Tweed and the steering committee for curriculum review get their way, current and future undergraduates of UNC will suffer.
I disagree with Mr. Tweed's position and believe it to be misguided.
He states that his committee's charge is to determine "the most fundamental components of a general education."
Apparently swimming is not one of those components.
I would argue that a person educated broadly should be exposed to new ideas and diverse viewpoints, challenged to articulate in both the written and spoken word, and expected to grow spiritually and physically.
Yes, physical development is important too.
Learning to swim should not be viewed as merely a survival skill but rather a component of "well-roundedness." And that is something all students deserve to possess upon receipt of a diploma from this, one of this country's best institutions of higher learning.
